Pandemic won't stop West Leechburg boy from raising money for Alzheimer's research

When life hands you a pandemic, you still make lemonade — to find a cure.

“Even though there is a virus, Alzheimer’s is still out there and I want to make my ‘Joe Joe’ happy and not make anyone else suffer from this,” said Brody Toy, 8, of West Leechburg.

“Joe Joe” is how Brody lovingly refers to his late great-grandfather Joseph Kish, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and died in 2015.

For the past few years, Brody has been selling lemonade annually in honor of his great-granddad and to help fund Alzheimer’s disease research.

The coronavirus isn’t changing that. He’s selling lemonade, pandemic or no pandemic.

“I want the public to know that with my fundraiser we can raise a lot of money to find a cure, and that anything is possible when you work as a team,” Brody said.

Brody’s Lemonade Stand will be offering five flavors of lemonade from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Sprankle’s supermarket in Leechburg. People can also donate online here.

There will be pink lemonade, regular lemonade, purple berry lemonade, iced tea with lemon and watermelon lemonade, a new flavor this year. Each cup costs $1. The David Leech Elementary third-grader also will be selling ranch oyster crackers and chocolate chip cookies for 50 cents.

All money raised will go to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s Association.

“My lemonade is a family secret,” Brody said, “but it’s made with lots of love.”

Brody said his granddad liked lemonade and his favorite color was yellow. That’s why selling lemonade was a perfect fit.

“I brainstormed with my mommy what I could do to raise money,” Brody said.

Last year, Brody’s Lemonade Stand and StudeCaker’s mobile gourmet cupcake trailer combined to raise $1,380. Brody hopes to raise $2,020 this year because, he said, “It’s the year!”

Those who can’t come to the lemonade stand can donate to the cause via Brody’s fundraising page.

Lisa Richards, Brody’s mom, said her son is passionate about helping others. She said he recently told her that if a cure for Alzheimer’s is found, he‘ll raise money for other causes.

“Nathan (my husband) and I are so unbelievably proud of Brody and his accomplishments,” Richards said. “We have always taught Brody to have a kind heart, and he goes beyond that.”

Brody and some of his family members represent Joe’s Alzstarz team, and usually participate in the Butler Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Because of the pandemic, instead of holding large, in-person events, the Alzheimer’s Association is asking people to walk with friends and family around their own communities. Brody and his team will be walking Sept. 19.

“Fundraisers like Brody’s Lemonade Stand help support our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” said Nathaniel Sofranko, manager of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. “Through the funds raised, 77% of every dollar goes back into our mission funding Alzheimer’s care, support, research, awareness and advocacy. This helps us to provide programs and services such as our Education Opportunities and Candid Conversations free of charge.”